Can I Get Legal Aid Help To Fight A Slander Case Being Brought Against Me?

[RATTER15]

It appears my ex employer is suing me for slander, can I get legal aid help to fight this? apart from the financial aspect, does legal aid cover defending slander cases?

I will be seeking legal assistance later today, I was just wondering if you guys have any such knowledge.

[EDDIE51]

Thanks , but I still see no hope of them winning a case against Ratter.

[hc4361]

Nor do I.

[Hypognosis]

It's a pity that "not for all the d's in privilege" isn't a phrase in general circulation.

(cheesey grin)

[KARL]

Unfortunately, I can't add anything constructive regarding how to extricate yourself from your particular predicament. However, the subject/events/action which brought you into this makes my skin creep a bit: My neighbour's parents went into a care home and he (the neighbour) objected to the fact that they were being given Valium and insisted this or anything similar be stopped. The result was that he, his wife, their sons, his wife's mother and sister, and others connected to him were all banned from visiting his parents. A court case resulted, he really struggled to find useful representation and ended up representing himself. The final outcome was that through the court he was gagged, forbidden to discuss any of the details of the case - forever. During all of this (three years in total) his father died but once the case was over his mother was moved to another home (the only good outcome) where they all got to visit her until she died within 5 months. Social Services and the care homes regulator/watchdog all became involved. I imagine they would sue me for libel if I said they variously colluded with the care home and/or turned a blind eye.

Care homes (at least in the UK) are dangerous processing stations and there is no way I will risk being put in one as an inmate.

I wish you luck.

[RATTER15]

KARL, not all care homes are like that, unfortunately we only hear about the bad ones, there are excellent care homes as well.

With regard to the Valium, care homes can only administer medication prescribed by the residents G.P. and they are not permitted to carry surplus stock, especially when it come to medication such as Valium, being a "Controlled Drug"

[ummmm]

My nans care home was really good.

[RATTER15]

Glad to hear it ummmm, I have been offered a position in another care home, just waiting on references etc. I'm just hoping my ex employer don't stir things up in that respect, he will try!

The home I am going to is a very very nice home specialising in dementia It has won lots of awards and the reviews and reports are all exceptional. Fingers crossed!

[EDDIE51]

Best of luck Ratter.I assume your reputation has proceeded you so they know what they are getting and will not be too worried about what the previous employer says.

[RATTER15]

Thanks Eddie, lets hope so!

[Peter Pedant]

easy one - no

[Peter Pedant]

OK read all the responses more carefully

wait and see - dont go to a nice solicitor at £200 / h hem hem to be told to do the same

From his point of view there are all sorts of things he has to climb
private closed circle you could argue was not publication
slander is spoiken and you have to show special damage
libel is more permanent - internet likely to be libel
if the nursing home is not mentioned he has to show that it is identifiable or if it is identifiable in the specialised jargonised circule where it was circulated

he wanted to shock you and he had
calm yourself and have a big glass of whiskey

countereclaim you could claim on facts you havent libelled him but he has libelled you outside court but but what you cant say is that he has libelled you in the court claim as ter daaah a claim cannot beget a claim [ or else it goes on for eva ]

[ same principle as in Judge Judy - did you bring this claim because he sued you ? answer yes and the counter claim gets chucked out Every Time ]

keep calm and wait
this is a non starter

[RATTER15]

Thanks PP, I think most on here is stating that it is most likely a non starter and I agree, I wasnt particularly shocked by what he said, just a little surprised, after he finished his rant about taking me to the cleaners and ruining me etc. etc. I just wished him good luck.

He is also withholding my last months wages, I have written to him formally requesting my wages and my pay slip and any authorisation that he has, permitting him to withhold my wages. sent by recorded delivery.

[TWR]

Without going into boring details Ratter, If you are right & your comment stand, have you thought about the Papers? I went down that road with one person, I'll say no more.

[Peter Pedant]

I think we have laid libel to rest - have anotheer glass of wiccy - even tho it is only ten oclock....

employers have various duties when someone leaves employment
and the legal beagles can help you with that
you should make sure you get all your moolah owed whether or not he likes you - holz and so on I think you have a right to a P45 and a P60 on May 31st as well but over to the employement bods

[RATTER15]

I have spoken to ACAS and am following their advice, as for going to the papers, I don't think it would be wise to inflame the issue at this point, but he wont shut me up just like that, I have a few tricks up my sleeve yet!

[RATTER15]

PP "have anotheer glass of wiccy - even tho it is only ten oclock...." Lol,

I never drink alcohol at home except the odd shot in an irish coffee. I do however enjoy a good glass of Glenmorangie when I'm out.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah I was gonna say
you ( he, Ratter ) has perhaps had enough of publicity and going to the papers....

good luck with the new job

and try to turn your back on this ( xc the unpaid bit ) as in the long term it doesnt bring the bacon home and that ( sigh )is why we go out to work ....